American Wolf (NZ) Showcases Staying Credentials

Victory in Friday’s A$200,000 Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) at Flemington has set up a sudden Group One opportunity for Karaka graduate American Wolf (NZ) (Tivaci).

The gelding has had seven starts for two wins, two placings and A$157,210 in stakes. He was bought by trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young for $110,000 from Waikato Stud’s draft in Book 1 of Karaka 2023.

Friday’s performance gave Busuttin and Young the confidence to point American Wolf towards the A$1m Group One South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville next Saturday.

Ridden by John Allen, American Wolf settled in ninth place among a 12-horse field in the ANZAC Day feature, then began to lengthen stride after rounding the home turn.

American Wolf and Litzdeel (Dundeel) strode to the lead together at the 200-metre mark and quickly left the other 10 horses behind. They fought out a stirring battle to the finish line, with American Wolf snatching victory by a head. The third placegetter finished six lengths behind the first pair.

“He got a beautiful run,” Young said. “Just sat out the back, third last, and just relaxed beautifully. John Allen rode him an absolute treat. He was ridden more forward last start when he won at Ballarat. To come here today and do that, it means he’ll be ready to roll in the Derby next week.

“That’s definitely the plan if he pulls up well, eats up and all the usual things. You might as well, you’re only three once. We don’t have to do much with him, he’s run 2800 today, he’s going to run 2500 next week, so you’ve just got to tick him over basically.”

American Wolf’s performance made a good impression on Allen.

“He’s a horse on the up, lightly raced, and he seems big and strong enough,” he said. “I reckon he’ll be certainly there with a fighter’s chance in the Derby.”

American Wolf is a half-brother to fellow Karaka graduate Zee Falls (NZ) (Sacred Falls), who won three races including the Group Three Wellington Stakes (1600m) and placed in another seven black-type races. Their dam Zelitist (NZ) (Zabeel) is a half-sister to the Group One winner Warhorse (NZ) (General Nediym).